Interfaith group: Carson's clarification worse for Muslims

Ben Carson touted faith and values, receiving a standing ovation when he ended his speech at the first-ever Roast and Ride, a fundraiser for Iowa senator Joni Ernst, in June 2015 at the Central Iowa Expo grounds in Boone.(Photo: Kelsey Kremer/The Register)Buy Photo

Ben Carson qualified his feelings about a Muslim running for president Monday, adding that his concerns apply to those who subscribe to Sharia law, which he says contradicts the U.S. Constitution.

"Under Islamic Law, homosexuals – men and women alike – must be killed. Women must be subservient. And people following other religions must be killed," Carson said in a statement on his Facebook page.

"I know that there are many peaceful Muslims who do not adhere to these beliefs. But until these tenants are fully renounced ... I cannot advocate any Muslim candidate for President."

Carson's initial remarks on Sunday's "Meet the Press" that he would "not advocate" for a Muslim U.S. president drew rebuke from the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Monday. And the clarification from the Republican candidate makes matters worse, according to Connie Ryan Terrell, executive director for the group.

"He infers that people of the Islamic faith are more likely to be extremists and that they need to be vetted more scrupulously for their loyalty to this country before being allowed to run for public office," Terrell wrote in a statement.

"To insinuate that a certain group of Americans may not be loyal to this country simply because of their faith is an insult to them and to our Constitution."

In a previous statement Monday, Terrell said that Carson’s comments disrespect the Constitution because they “disparage an entire group of Americans based solely on their religion.”

The complete statement from Terrell on Monday read as follows:

“It is with much disappointment that I read the words of Dr. Ben Carson, which indicate not only his prejudice toward anyone running for president simply because of their Muslim faith, but also his lack of respect for the Constitutional foundation of our country.

“In the beauty of this great nation, freedom and a guarantee of equality is the base of our Constitution. Religious freedom is the first freedom. There is no religious test for public office. Many have fought for each American’s freedom, especially religious. So, while Dr. Carson is free to hold his personal beliefs, as an active candidate for president it disappoints me greatly that he would express such divisive statements that serve only to disparage an entire group of Americans based solely on their religion. Simply put, someone with that distorted of a bias should not lead the most religiously pluralistic country in the world.”